The Thunder get the chance to prove they are still for real tonight against the Clippers

When Russell Westbrook went down with a knee injury in April, it exposed the Oklahoma City Thunder’s offense as pretty darn thin when Kevin Durant was depended on to handle the whole scoring load. The uncertainty around Westbrook’s return caused plenty of people to doubt the Thunder’s ability to compete for the Western Conference championship.

Westbrook’s early return has rendered all of that meaningless. He had two surgeries in six months to repair a torn meniscus, but in four games this season, he looks as explosive as he ever has.

The Thunder haven’t lost a game since Westbrook’s return. They face their toughest test of the season tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers, whose offensive attack is more diverse, with sharpshooter J.J. Redick alongside Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

Paul and Griffin vs. Westbrook and Durant is arguably the most exciting matchup of superstar duos in the NBA — the Clippers have the league’s best point guard, but the Thunder have the second-best overall player in the world. Add a full-strength Westbrook and a still-improving Griffin to the mix, and this is a game nobody with even a passing interest in the NBA should miss.

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Here’s what else to watch for tonight:

• Brad Stevens’ Boston Celtics have won four games in a row after starting the season 0-4. They host the Charlotte Bobcats tonight to try to get above .500 for the first time.

• J.R. Smith makes his first start of the season for the struggling New York Knicks. They play the 4-3 Hawks in Atlanta tonight.

• The San Antonio Spurs have the best record in the west at 7-1 and will try to improve to 8-1 against the Washington Wizards.

The Thunder get the chance to prove they are still for real tonight against the Clippers

Opening Tip gives you everything you need to know for Wednesday’s NBA action.

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